CESTOS CITY, Rivercess County — Deputy Minister for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Attorney Laura Golakeh, has called on women and communities in Rivercess County to take advantage of government empowerment initiatives while emphasizing the importance of investing in girls’ education to secure a better future.
Speaking during her visit to Rivercess County on Monday, November 2, 2026, Deputy Minister Golakeh said the government remains committed to working directly with communities, listening to their concerns, and developing programs that address their needs.
She emphasized that the government’s approach is centered on community engagement and collaboration, noting that local voices are essential to designing effective development programs.
“Rivercess County is a special county,” Golakeh said, highlighting the importance of ongoing government interventions, including the Liberia Women Empowerment Project and cash transfer initiatives.
According to the Deputy Minister, the Liberia Women Empowerment Project was established through collaboration between the government and the World Bank to provide women, particularly those in rural communities, with opportunities to improve their livelihoods and engage in productive activities.
She said President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and Gender Minister Gbeme Horace Kollie have demonstrated commitment to ensuring that women across Liberia benefit from empowerment programs.
Golakeh stressed that the initiative is intended to help women, especially young women, acquire the means and opportunities to become economically productive and independent.
The Deputy Minister also shared her personal background, identifying herself as the daughter of a market woman, and said her journey to leadership underscores the importance of education and opportunity.
She urged parents and communities to invest in the education of their daughters, noting that young women have the potential to achieve even greater success when provided with adequate support.
“Your daughters can be more than us, but the only way is when we invest in their education and make sure they have all the opportunities they need to become better versions of themselves,” she emphasized.
Golakeh’s visit forms part of the Ministry’s efforts to engage communities and promote women’s empowerment, education, and economic opportunities across Liberia.
